The United Way hosted its annual kickoff campaign on Zoom on Thursday morning (Image Credit: United Way TNC)

By Chad Klassen

RISE AND SHINE!

Sunrise Kickoff, United Way’s first virtual fundraiser, collects $25,000

Oct 1, 2020 | 12:21 PM

KAMLOOPS — The United Way kicked off its annual campaign to raise money for non-profits in the Kamloops, Nicola and Cariboo regions. The breakfast is often held in person, but with the pandemic, people were in the comforts of their own homes watching online.

Rich Woods, co-host of B-100’s ‘Good Morning Kamloops,’ emcee’d the Sunrise Kickoff event on Thursday morning. A host of Broadcast Centre personalities contributed to the event’s entertainment, including Tanya Cronin with a United Way-style weather forecast, Chad Klassen presenting the top workplace campaigns and top employee coordinator of 2019, and Dylana Kneeshaw informing viewers on what the United Way does.

“This year, obviously, we did a virtual event, which is totally new for us, totally new for everyone in this pandemic year. We couldn’t be more thrilled with the way this community steps up,” said interim executive director of the United Way TNC Katie Neustaeter. “We’ve had to cancel most of our events, so no Truck Pull this year, no Homes For The Holidays, no Drive-Thru Breakfast, but Kickoff was an extraordinary success for us.”

About 200 people tuned in to the Zoom event. The United Way raised $15,000 through its Red Solo Cup fundraiser and and will net about $25,000 from this year’s kickoff.

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“We are so grateful and that link will be live for the next 48 hours, so if people want to visit our website, they can donate there as well,” said Neustaeter. “No donation is too big, obviously, but there’s also no donation that’s too small. Every penny that we give to community to improve lives is valued and welcome.”

If you would like to donate to the United Way, you go visit their website here.